This session will provide an overview of the cultural aspects of counseling military populations and discuss common presenting issues (e.g., deployments, moving). Play therapy interventions for use with children and families will be discussed and experienced.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the cultural aspects of military life and how these characteristics impact counseling needs.
• Identify the unique challenges faced within the military lifestyle with specific examples of play therapy techniques to address specific challenges including loss, separation and transitions.
• Identify resiliency with an understanding of strategies to build the resiliency of military children and families in your play therapy practice.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Special Topics

In this thought provoking yet practical workshop, play therapists will explore what it really takes to partner with parents. Come boost your confidence as we learn how to navigate the waters with our child client’s most important relationships.

Learning Objectives:

• Recite the elements of an effective intake session that set the stage for parental investment in the play therapy process.
• Describe how to work with a resistant parent and keep them engaged in the play therapy process.
• Discuss how to translate what is happening in the play room to parents.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Skills and Methods
• Special Topics

Using Structural Family Therapy as a basis, play therapy techniques for family assessment will be discussed and practiced. Experiential exercises will be used to evaluate hierarchy, boundaries, alliances, cut-offs and scapegoating in the assessment phase of family therapy.

Learning Objectives:

• State why play therapy is important in the assessment phase of family therapy.
• Identify alliances/coalitions and also disengagements/cut-offs in a family assessment.
• Demonstrate at least 3 play therapy interventions that can be used in the assessment phase of family therapy.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Special Topics